This blog will detail 1,000 video hikes in Southern California. By Southern California, I am drawing a line from San Luis Obispo to the Nevada Border. Anything south of that line will be declared "Southern California". In a way, it is a personal challenge to do so many hikes. Mainly, however, it is my way of showcasing how many hiking opportunities there really are right in our own geographic back yard. As a blog, it serves as a companion piece to my Youtube channel "1,000 Hikes in So Cal". It is also a work in progress, as I don't actually have 1,000 edited videos completed. This will take effort for quite some time before it is declared done. Even then, there will still be more out there. Here's to hiking and all the positive effects it has had on my life...and possibly yours!
The hike starts at Dawson Saddle, which leads to a high ridge, featuring some of the highest peaks in the San Gabriel Range. The first of which is Throop Peak. I had visited this summit a few times in the past, and I was happy to include it on this outing.
Summit use trail to Throop Peak.
The trail connects with the Pacific Crest Trail just below the summit. I left the PCT pretty much right after I got on it by taking a summit use trail to the top of Throop Peak. The summit elevation is 9,138, which is also the highest point on the hike.
Summit plaque on Throop Peak.
I descended the opposite slope of Throop to quickly return to the PCT, where I continues Southwest toward the Mt Hawkins. Once again, a summit use trail leaves the PCT to reach Mt Hawkins.
Approaching the summit on the use trail.
However, this time it wasn't optional, this was also part of the route. After topping on Mt Hawkins, I paused for a few minutes as I looked down the ridge the dropped from the summit to the south. Although walking downslope would be in my immediate future, I would have to climb back up it as well, so I needed to mentally prepare to maintain the energy on the way back.
Heading down the ridge.
I left Mt Hawkins to the south and continued down the slope on a use trail. As expected, the route was not difficult to descend, though there were some obstacles such as downed trees to navigate around. At the far end of the ridge, it is considered to be the summit of Copter Ridge.
On the summit of Copter Ridge.
A summit register sits there with a great view of the surrounding peaks and ridges. The elevation is at 7,500 feet. This made for a great lunch spot for the needed fuel to climb back up. When the time came, off I went with a head of steam back up the ridge.
Summit view of the ridge route back.
Mental preparation certainly paid off, as I was prepared for the long climb. Before long, I crossed back over Mt Hawkins, thereby conquering the ridge. I then returned along the PCT and back down the Dawson Saddle Trail to complete the triple peak hike.
The hike to Twin Peaks is one of the more difficult hiking options available from Angeles Crest Highway. The trail starts on the Waterman Mountain Loop Trail, but breaks off toward Twin Peaks along the way.
Hovering above the marine layer.
The trail drops about 1,000 feet to a saddle between Mount Waterman and Twin Peaks. The climb begins steeply up toward East Twin Peak. This is the higher of the Twin Peaks. I paused several times to catch my breath along the way. Once on the summit, there are views down into the San Gabriel Wilderness and West Twin Peak.
On the summit of East Twin Peak.
While partially climbing back down, I then diverted over to West Twin Peak. This is a lesser visited summit, but I was gratified to be there, since this was my first visit to it. The views aren't quite as expansive, but there is a good view toward East Twin Peak.
View of West Twin Peak.
After signing the summit register, I descended back to the saddle. From there, the most difficult part of the hike begins. Although I just climbed two peaks, I needed to maintain enough energy to elevate back to the trail on the eastern slope of Mount Waterman.
View of East Twin Peak from West Twin Peak.
For me. this was a tough and slow 1,000 foot elevation climb. However, once I reached the Waterman Trail, it was pretty much downhill all the way back to Angeles Crest Highway.
Summit of West Twin Peak.
As always, it is an exceptional feeling of accomplishment when rounding the corner and spotting my vehicle.
Although there are other potential starting points, for the loop I prefer starting in the parking lot at the end of Box Springs Mountain Road. From there, I set off on a rather counter clockwise loop to include 5 peaks along the way. There are actually a few more on the plateau, but I included them on other hikes that I completed and included in my So Cal list.
Peak 2602.
My first peak on the loop was Peak 2602. A use trail diverts from the loop to reach the summit. On the day, the morning started out foggy, and it provided an odd view of the landscape that certainly seemed rather non Southern California appearing.
Otherworldly views on the plateau.
from there, I returned to the loop and went to Box Springs Mountain Lookout, which is a lower viewpoint on the plateau. The steepest part of the hike comes next as the trail elevates toward the highest points of Peak 3001 and Box Springs Mountain. Great Riverside and Inland Empire views are visible for miles.
Inland Empire views.
After visiting Box Springs Mountain, the loop continues north where I got off the loop again to visit Peak 2866. That was the last diversion before returning back to the parking lot. It opened my eyes to formulate a plan to include a few more peaks when doing the Two Trees Trail a few weeks later.
